2023 NFL Mock Draft: Texans Add Jalen Carter and Will Levis, Lions Trade Back, Plus a Surprise at No. 3 Overall
By Hunter Haas
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
The Seattle Seahawks would run this card up to the podium faster than the Lions did with Aidan Hutchinson in the 2022 NFL Draft. Will Anderson Jr. is my No. 2 overall player in this class, but when trades and quarterbacks come in to play, sometimes weird things happen in the draft.
At No. 5 overall, Seattle steals Will Anderson Jr., filling a massive need at pass rusher without sacrificing any picks to move up. Anderson Jr. is a handful to block, consistently showing otherworldly bend around the edge and impeccable timing off the snap.
*TRADE*
Lions Trade:
-No. 6 overall (2023)
Texans Trade:
-No. 12 overall (2023)
-No. 65 overall (2023)
-Future first-rounder (2024)
-Future fourth-rounder (2024)
Another trade! Houston makes good on the Deshaun Watson trade by parlaying one of the future firsts into a new franchise quarterback.
Even after this trade, the Texans pick No. 33 overall in 2023 and still have their own first-rounder in 2024. If Will Levis grades out as a starting quarterback for Houston, they would be wise to jump in front of the Raiders, Falcons, and Titans to secure him.
As for Detroit, if they view Levis differently, it gives the front office incentive to trade down and acquire more assets. Sticking with Goff — and stacking the roster more — is the path that general manager Brad Holmes takes in this mock draft.
6. Houston Texans (via DET) – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
Will Levis is as polarizing of a prospect as I can remember. The Kentucky signal-callers tape is more good than bad, but the bad is what people tend to latch onto. Yes, his decision-making is poor at times. Levis believes in his arm TOO much.
Still, the reason he has such belief in himself is that he has a rocket launcher attached to his right shoulder. On top of that, Levis has experience taking snaps under center and running a McVay-style offense in 2021.
The Texans come away with the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft in Jalen Carter and move up a few spots to grab Will Levis. Houston accomplishes the rare feat of adding a cornerstone on each side of the ball without jeopardizing future draft capital.
7. Las Vegas Raiders – Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State
The Raiders offensive line may have earned a respectable PFF grade in 2022, but the unit needs a difference-maker added to the fold. Paris Johnson Jr. has experience at right guard and left tackle, giving head coach Josh McDaniels the ability to line him up anywhere as a rookie.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Perhaps Myles Murphy is the one who supplants Will Anderson Jr. as the first pass rusher off the board. In this mock draft, it was Tyree Wilson, but Murphy grades out as a high-end starter in the NFL too.
The Clemson defensive lineman uses his explosiveness to bend around the edge better than anyone in this class. The Falcons rank dead last in sacks over the past two seasons; throwing Murphy into the lineup with Arnold Ebiketie should instantly change that.
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR) – Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Bears fans might hate how far the team traded down in round one, but Peter Skoronski (and the extra picks) will quickly make them forget. Skoronski went to college at Northwestern, essentially making him a hometown boy. With Chicago, Skoronski can start anywhere on the offensive line. At last, Justin Fields will have time to operate in the pocket.
10. Philadelphia Eagles – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
The Eagles strike gold by getting the top cornerback on the board at No. 10. Who should that cornerback be? That is a fair debate. However, Christian Gonzalez is an ideal fit for the City of Brotherly Love.
The Oregon defensive back is still developing in coverage and as a tackler, but his versatility makes him worth the pick. Gonzalez can line up inside at the slot or outside on the boundary for Philly.
It must be nice to be an Eagles fan. The team is still alive, plus they get to have fun with the mock draft.